Now that you know why smoothies are so good for you, why not try one? (you did watch my video on why I smoothie, right?) In this video I talk you through the process of making my Cranberry Craze. Cranberries are a superfood – that means they are packed full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Two beneficial chemical compounds found in cranberries are proanthrocyanidins and anthrocyanins.
Proanthrocyanidins are in the class of compounds called polyphenols, and these are thought to “stick” to bacteria in your gut and help flush them out.
Anthrocyanins are in the class of flavonoids, and provide the pigment that gives cranberries their deep red color. These compounds help protect the liver, reduce inflammation, and improve eye health.
To make my Cranberry Craze you simply take all the ingredients below and throw them in your blender. I use a Vitamix which has the power to chop and puree the fruits and vegetables even if I leave them in big chunks, saving some prep time in the mornings. Here is what I included in this smoothie:
- 1/2 banana
- 1/2 apple
- 1/2 pear
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/4 cup cranberries
- 1/4 cup frozen pineapple
- 2 handfuls of raw spinach
- 1 piece of turmeric root, peeled and sliced (about the size of your thumb)
- 1 piece of ginger root, peeled and sliced (again, about the size of your thumb)
- Several turns of fresh ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup water (if you prefer a colder smoothie you can substitute ice)
Throw everything in the blender and run it on high until everything has been pureed. This recipe will make 2 large servings (about pint size) which works great as a morning meal. Think of all the chewing you just avoided!
Try this and let me know what you think. If you haven’t signed up for my mailing list yet, just hit the button below. As always my friends, #MakeItCount